Lawyers seek explanation from gov't over 'delay' in judicial RCI
The government should explain the reasons behind the purported delay in convening a royal commission of inquiry into the allegations of judicial misconduct first highlighted by Court of Appeal judge Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, lawyers said.
Lawyer Joy Appukuttan said an RCI must be convened to address the larger issue of alleged corruption within the judiciary...
The government should explain the reasons behind the purported delay in convening a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into the allegations of judicial misconduct first highlighted by Court of Appeal judge Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, lawyers said.
Lawyer Joy Appukuttan said an RCI must be convened to address the larger issue of alleged corruption within the judiciary.
"That (RCI) will resolve all issues. Not just the current matter, but everything," he told reporters after case management before judge Mohd Firuz Jaffril at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.
Appukuttan is representing Hamid Sultan in the Attorney-General's Chambers' application to expunge large portions of his 65-page affidavit in lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo's lawsuit against the chief justice.
Sangeet herself said there is no valid reason to delay the process given that the government clearly indicated its willingness to convene the RCI.
"I think RCI should be held. I think it is necessary. There is no reason why it has not been held up until now," she stressed.
"There has been clear indication from the government that it will be held, but no reason is given why there is a delay.
"This is a fundamental issue in relations to the independence of the judiciary. I think the government has to give us an explanation as to why this RCI has not been held."
Read more: Sangeet may consider withdrawing suit against chief justice
In his affidavit, Hamid Sultan had, among others, alleged interference in a 2016 Court of Appeal majority decision to uphold the late Karpal Singh's conviction for sedition.
In his affidavit, the judge claimed that the appellate court panel initially decided to acquit Karpal of the sedition charge over statements he made on the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis.
Despite announcing in February that an RCI would be established to probe Hamid Sultan's allegations of widespread corruption and abuses in the judiciary, it has yet to materialise.
Early last month, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad indicated that the RCI would "start work soon," as he shot down a former judge's proposal for the government to hold an internal inquiry instead.
Sources from Pakatan Harapan previously told Malaysiakini that there were parties within the coalition, as well as retired top judges, who opposed the RCI for fear of "unfavourable" truths being revealed.
